A Spirited Valentine ...

[lazyboy97o]

Interesting. I just assumed it was required since the American companies I'm familiar with all had a partner there. Maybe it was just easier or less risky setting it up that way. I admit my knowledge is limited to a few casino companies whose stocks I follow and Disney so not exactly a large sample set.

I believe the partner in those casinos is the company that had held the government issued monopoly on gaming. I'm guessing the Vegas players thought it best not to just jump into someone else's turf. Even on the Mainland there is not one single policy on foreign investment, it's a web of laws, policies and whims based on industry, location and circumstance.

 

[JTravis58]

I still want to go back to 2007 and do a poll of Disney fanbois about their feelings for Marvel.

I'll admit I am one of those who never gave a flip about Marvel until it was under the Disney umbrella. Glad I did start getting into those movies however, as most have been stellar. I am ashamed to say I probably would not have known the difference between Iron Man and Captain America before the Disney buyout.

 

[TalkingHead]

BTW, don't be shocked if HoP doesn't reopen as scheduled. Have heard that people in Glendale were so sure that the current White House resident wouldn't last that the show is quite behind.

That got me thinking...

How awkward would it be for the President to leave the office early in a fury of controversy, only to be replaced by the VP, which would force Disney to shut down the show, update it with an AA of the VP, now POTUS, while the current President who left the office in disgrace would still be acknowledged on the stage during the roll call...

Really, what an even bigger mess that attraction could become.

 

[TalkingHead]

Not excited at all by the concept for this or what I have heard.

Seems like Universal Orlando is determined to remain in WDW's shadow, and I don't mean financially or with attendance numbers. Historically, whenever they've had a golden chance to improve their brand identity and capitalize on their success, they've fumbled it. It's like they're destined to follow up incredible work with the laziest, most derivative additions.

I was waiting to see if they could match Potter, and they really haven't come close. I think Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are the best park areas in Orlando, but nothing they've added comes close to matching them. Kong wasn't the groundbreaking E-ticket it could've been. Fallon is already a tired concept, and it hasn't even officially opened yet. Fast and Furious sounds like it will be a disappointment, perhaps even more than Kong.

Meanwhile, the Avatar area looks like it might actually be the first new satisfying E-ticket area at WDW in nearly twenty years. What lousy timing for Universal.

Nintendo may live up to the hype, but by then Universal will have lost quite a bit of momentum. They evidently think adding *anything* justifies renewing an AP. Sorry to say, we're not interested in renewing annually if the additions are more of the same. Not to mention, they continue to jack up the prices when the additions aren't half as good as the Potter areas. I have yet to hear any Florida locals say they're going to Universal for anything other than Potter. At what point does it become apparent that the resort is a one-trick-pony?

It'll be interesting to see how Volcano Bay is received. I have absolutely no interest in it and think branding it a "third gate" is a case of Universal's typical wild overpromising what is nothing more than a new Orlando water park (hardly the first of its kind). But like I said, Universal seems destined to shoot themselves in the foot, so they might as well advertise it as the greatest and most advanced park in the history of theme parks.

 

[WDW1974]

Is TDL becoming more impressive due to USJ or the Olympics or both? Appreciate all your input and information throughout all your threads.

I am not sure that either of those are really factors. OLC has been wowing since 1983 and this is how they do business. They still aim to exceed guests' expectations. My opinion is they've twice gone back to the plans and tinkered already and wound up with more and better ... I think that is what is happening here.

 

[WDW1974]

With regards to WDW/Epcot, are the revision of plans for the better? Is there any optimism?

Not enough is concrete for me to say. My gut says Disney thinks that going back to an old name while taking the product further away from what that original product was will be enough to placate a lot of fans. ... I think you'll see a lot of lip service and fan service over true substance. Dead is dead. EPCOT Center died a slow death starting in the late 90s. I'd love it if the Guardians project were dead too ...

 

[WDW1974]

What areas are being rethunk in the swamps? New transportation options? Revamping the different resorts? I always thought Disney would try an eliminate the value resorts and upgrade them to moderate resort prices. Sounds like EPCOT is getting the screws put to it again.

I've already discussed the resort aspect. By the time the Star Wars Experience debuts in the swamps (2019 now IF you opt to believe noted liars The Weatherman and Chappie), there won't be value, moderate and deluxe categories of resorts. Almost every resort will see upgrades from minor to sweeping (not including the new ones being added). Resorts will be priced almost in a surge style. Want to travel by gondola (no, in FL I really don't) directly from the new DVC, CBR, POP and AoA resort area right to the edge of the new SWE? Those rooms will command higher price points than say the All Star Sports or Kidani Village at DAK Lodge etc.

New transport options are on the table. But the ONLY major new system to be approved is this gondola system and it isn't being designed as something to expand to another area ... whether it's DAK Lodge or BB or DS or OKW etc.

Two parks will be reBRANDED by WDW's 50th. It should be obvious which two. One will have a totally new name, one will have an old one.

 

[WDW1974]

Dead pool unfortunately is still to raw to enjoy with my kids. I was thinking the other night about GoTG vs avengers and thinking who would have thunk this set of characters could pull off as big of a movie as the big guns like Thor, Spider-Man, etc. if vol2 works... I'll put it right along side the avengers flick.

I still put avengers 1 up as the formula model for the 'new' superhero flick. Tho the dark knight is the Magnus opus I think

OK, so congrats @flynnibus, you've pulled me into a favorite derailing topic of comic films!
I will simply say my five favorite Marvel films are:
1.) Deadpool;
2.) GotG;
3.) Captain America (first);
4.) Spidey (first ... Tobey Maguire version);
5.) ***tie*** Iron Man (first); Ant Man;

I don't really want to discuss reasons. But they may tell you a bit about my tastes!

 

[HMF]

Two parks will be reBRANDED by WDW's 50th. It should be obvious which two. One will have a totally new name, one will have an old one.

Please don't tell me they are bringing the "Center" back to Epcot without restoring the level of cohesiveness and quality that name entails.

 

[WDW1974]

Hong Kong now has a "tear down the resort and build housing" brigade. Reminds me of the "Timeshares and a Walmart" brigade back when Disneyland Paris was in the gutter before the takeover.
http://scmp.com/comment/insight-opi...ss-making-hong-kong-disneyland-and-put-public

To be fair, the DLP story was total BS tossed out by bored fanbois.

HK does have a housing shortage, but all you see is posturing because the SAR got screwed in the 90s and is still angry at Burbank. The attention lavished on SDL just has made a bad relationship even worse. I'd expect many things to happen at HKDL. But I wouldn't count on it being what was proposed. Again, look at the history, Disney put a lot of time and money into expansion concepts that didn't fly. I do think some of this will happen, but certainly not all that was announced and in the fashion that was announced and on the timeline that was announced.

 

[WDW1974]

Disney isn't to be trusted?! You're kidding! What a shock!

/s

You joke, but how many people believe when the company says it is doing something and even puts out press releases and glossy art renderings (like the Matterhorn at three different WDW parks or like Hyperion Wharf ... or like a DVC resort where the Four Seasons sits just for just some quick examples) or when it says it isn't (GotG Tower in Anaheim and ... who knows where else)?

Fans want something official and they don't realize that companies change their minds and executives lie on the record.

 

[WDW1974]

I believe you've previously said that it would be surprising if Disney built more deluxe hotels. Will these new "lodging options" be expansions of current hotels or totally new offerings? If new offerings I'm hoping for new deluxe hotels or at least moderate...

I know of at least two properties that I would consider deluxe, although those labels won't be used. One is the hotel at the entrance to EPCOT. The other is the Star Wars resort, although that one is much further out timewise.

 

[WDW1974]

Any chance Disney is pushing big investment dollars to HK to get ownership of the park, as they have done in Paris? They had to have expected pushback with those attendance numbers and the investment request.

I haven't heard that, but it certainly should be considered a possibility based on what happened in Paris. (And remember, Disney let the resort sit and rot for years longer until it got what it wanted there. Now, they have all sorts of rehabs happening and others in planning).

 

[WDW1974]

HK may not limit but does Disney really want to be responsible for another negative trending park after buying out DLP? You all do know that pulls resources to get those up to date from DL and WDW right?

Not completely accurate. More of fans playing "Running Disney P&R" ... Domestic parks are going to have a certain level of investment regardless of what happens in Paris or Hong Kong (or anywhere else #thanksshanghai) ... in Anaheim, it's even required if Disney wants to keep its tax break (and it does). On some level it can affect what is happening here. but not nearly as much as you might believe.

 

[WDW1974]

https://twitter.com/visitpandora/status/837781023584845824

Okay so this is amazing... also no idea how to embed this tweet. ugh.

Pandora is going to be beautiful and the best thing to happen to WDW this century (which is very sad when you think about it, but I meant the statement as a positive!)

 

[WDW1974]

Most of my business is in Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing

As I understood China and the HK SAR were supposed to be harmonizing economic policy.

Neither Special Administrative Region requires any local or Chinese ownership. Disney could own 100% of Hongkong International Theme Parks, Ltd.

YUP! I don't believe -- at this point -- that they will. But it is possible.

 

[WDW1974]

That got me thinking...

How awkward would it be for the President to leave the office early in a fury of controversy, only to be replaced by the VP, which would force Disney to shut down the show, update it with an AA of the VP, now POTUS, while the current President who left the office in disgrace would still be acknowledged on the stage during the roll call...

Really, what an even bigger mess that attraction could become.

These are thoughts and discussions that you can be sure have been held at Disney. I would not at all be surprised if this is even something Iger was consulted on (I am going to ask some people who might know!)

I do know that assuming he stays in office you are going to have some very ugly moments at that attraction (worse than the last two Presidents combined). I'm honestly not sure if I will even go into that show for my own reasons. But in O-Town ... you could have daily fistfights breaking out in there the way our nation is divided.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Pandora is going to be beautiful and the best thing to happen to WDW this century (which is very sad when you think about it, but I meant the statement as a positive!)

Honestly the theming is astounding. I think it is the best in Orlando now. Such a marvel of engineering. And I imagine how it transforms at night is nothing short of spectacular.

 

[ChrisFL]

Honestly the theming is astounding. I think it is the best in Orlando now. Such a marvel of engineering. And I imagine how it transforms at night is nothing short of spectacular.

Agreed...it looks amazing. Whether that will translate into increased ticket and merch sales have yet to be seen.

I recall that Diagon Alley was criticized for being a huge land of pretty things with only 2 attractions, I fear Pandora will have even less things "to do", no mention of special food or merchandise with it to increase the bottom line.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Agreed...it looks amazing. Whether that will translate into increased ticket and merch sales have yet to be seen.

I recall that Diagon Alley was criticized for being a huge land of pretty things with only 2 attractions, I fear Pandora will have even less things "to do", no mention of special food or merchandise with it to increase the bottom line.

I mean realistically Diagon only has one true ride... the other is a mode of transport between two parks... At least Pandora will have two fully fleshed out rides.

I could probably sit in that land all day and just stare up....

 

[WDW1974]

Seems like Universal Orlando is determined to remain in WDW's shadow, and I don't mean financially or with attendance numbers. Historically, whenever they've had a golden chance to improve their brand identity and capitalize on their success, they've fumbled it. It's like they're destined to follow up incredible work with the laziest, most derivative additions.

I was waiting to see if they could match Potter, and they really haven't come close. I think Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are the best park areas in Orlando, but nothing they've added comes close to matching them. Kong wasn't the groundbreaking E-ticket it could've been. Fallon is already a tired concept, and it hasn't even officially opened yet. Fast and Furious sounds like it will be a disappointment, perhaps even more than Kong.

Meanwhile, the Avatar area looks like it might actually be the first new satisfying E-ticket area at WDW in nearly twenty years. What lousy timing for Universal.

Nintendo may live up to the hype, but by then Universal will have lost quite a bit of momentum. They evidently think adding *anything* justifies renewing an AP. Sorry to say, we're not interested in renewing annually if the additions are more of the same. Not to mention, they continue to jack up the prices when the additions aren't half as good as the Potter areas. I have yet to hear any Florida locals say they're going to Universal for anything other than Potter. At what point does it become apparent that the resort is a one-trick-pony?

It'll be interesting to see how Volcano Bay is received. I have absolutely no interest in it and think branding it a "third gate" is a case of Universal's typical wild overpromising what is nothing more than a new Orlando water park (hardly the first of its kind). But like I said, Universal seems destined to shoot themselves in the foot, so they might as well advertise it as the greatest and most advanced park in the history of theme parks.

I largely agree with what you are feeling. I have Universal fatigue. Too much of the same thing. I love Potter, but ultimately UNI isn't 'The Harry Potter Park' despite being referred to that way in Disney P&R research. Transformers was simply a louder, longer, yet less satisfying, Spidey. Kong is more of the same. Sorry, UNI fanbois, but the parks are way too heavy on screens. If you have motion sickness there literally is almost nothing to do at the two parks. And instead of improving where they are weak, we just get more of the same and ... well, I don't know anyone -- even UNI foamers -- who are raving about Jimmy Fallon and Fast and Furious. Nintendo looks really, really great. But it is years away and Disney will have new and compelling product open by the time it debuts.

I think this is much like 1999 when IOA opened and the resort expansion happened, they have all this momentum and they're blowing it.

Volcano Bay ... I don't even know what to say beyond Jason Surrell (you recall that psycho who was arguing with fanbois on this site while his wife was in labor with their first child) doing media for it. I saw a major story yesterday, but didn't want him getting attention from me by placing it here. It's a water park. Probably a nice one. Already have three in O-Town. No one was clamoring for yet another.